2 mins read

Many people think that dance classes are only for professional athletes looking to enhance their physical performance. I’m here to clear up that misconception.

In an era where technology rapidly advances and new horizons are constantly being explored, it’s intriguing to see that our connection with our bodies often remains unknown. It’s a strange and fascinating paradox: no matter where you go, your body is always with you, yet it’s so easy for us to neglect and even criticize it. From complaints about not being fit enough to worries about aging, it’s clear we often focus more on our body’s flaws than its capabilities.

Let’s say you finally take that leap to join a dance class, you aim to follow along, perform the steps, and maybe find some joy despite the aches. After class, you might feel overwhelmed or invigorated, proud that you kept up with the challenging routine. But is that all there is to a dance class? Absolutely not—there’s SO MUCH MORE. Our body is much more than just a physical entity; it’s the temple of our emotions, storing everything our brain processes (or doesn’t).

“Dance doesn’t just help us make better personal choices; it also enriches our relationships and teaches us to respect ourselves.”

The art of dance is ancient, tracing its origins to the earliest human civilizations. Historically, dance has served various purposes, such as spiritual rituals, celebrations, entertainment, and as a means to express social unity. At ASTC, we harness dance to tap into the most authentic and deepest parts of ourselves, fostering connections with the world around us and enhancing our ability to navigate it.

Dance offers an exciting and unique journey of self-discovery. This holistic engagement doesn’t just help us make better personal choices; it also enriches our relationships and teaches us to respect ourselves.

Many of my students initially came to ASTC as beginners or at an intermediate level, carrying a profound misconception about the role of dance in their lives. The competitive nature of dance, along with the extreme demands it often places on our bodies and the unrealistic standards it perpetuates, have over time inflicted deep wounds on many dancers’ perceptions and experiences.

Today, I am thrilled to share that my students have transformed into joyful individuals, proud of their achievements and excited about the future. They now use dance not just as an art form, but as a tool to confidently tackle daily life challenges, finding clarity and strength in each step they take.

Their success is not solely defined by their achievements, but by how confidently they navigate through life. They fully engage with life, clarifying their dreams and crafting realistic plans to achieve them.

find yourself

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find yourself 〰️

The Role of Music in Dance
While practices like yoga can offer many benefits, dance introduces a unique element. Music plays a crucial role in how we engage with our bodies and minds. Through dance, we not only utilize our bodies but also

trigger our musicality
sharpen our reflexes
enhance our memory
refine our ability to internalize and express our emotions (body language)

One thing we are often completely unaware of is that our body knows what it needs—if we can learn to listen and trust its signals, it can guide us in making healthier choices that are right for us. Whether it’s choosing the right foods or the right people, trusting your body can lead to profound insights.

What I understand and at the same time feel compelled to address is the procrastination and avoidance that some of us use as a protective mechanism because of fearing the process. Finding ourselves is the biggest and most precious gift of our lifetime. And yet, we often settle for half, if not a quarter, of what life can truly offer us.

“Finding ourselves is the biggest and most precious gift of our lifetime. And yet, we often settle for half, if not a quarter, of what life can truly offer us.”

I am opening some spots for private coaching in the months of June and July.

Classes will be tailored to your own needs, regardless of your level, and it is my sincerest commitment to empower you in your life through authentic movement that will bring so much clarity to your life.

Amanda Spilinga

Creative Director, Founder

@the1_nonly_amanda

Born and raised in Northern Italy, Amanda Spilinga was first introduced to the world of dance at the age of 11 studying Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary.

At the age of 16, striving for more led her to attending a prestigious local convention. This experience would not only connect her to her first impassioned dance mentor (Steve LaChance), but would also spark her hunger to fiercely pursue building a platform which would SPARK others to experience liberty, growth, and self-expression through movement - Alternative Synergy The Company (ASTC). She went on to receive many scholarships and won numerous regional dance competitions throughout Italy and studied with personalities such as Corinne Lanselle, Daniel Tinazzi, Silvio Oddi winning modern dance competitions such as “Cantadanza” And “Vallee Danza”(IT). At the age of 17, she received her professional modern dance instructor designation from the Internal Dance Association (IDA) which was the catalyst in her journey as one of the youngest sought after professional teachers and choreographers in Italy. Her versatility propelled her development as a professional artist working on several TV shows and theatre productions teaching workshops for all levels.

At the age of 20, Amanda’s bubbling artistic career brought her to New York City teaching at various studios and dancing with names such as Sheila Barker, Michelle Barber, Michele Oliva, Derek Mitchell, Shaik and many others. The electric New York City nightlife and meeting culture curators & promoters like Voodoo Ray would open doors to many performance opportunities that would eventually give rise to the coming together of an eclectic collective of dancers that officially became Alternative Synergy The Company. In 2017 the first show as ASTC The Company raised 10K in less than twenty days to create the first ASTC production - The Debut. It’s wild success garnered investors attention to run a second show in 2018.

ASTC is a proud recipient of the Brooklyn Arts Council Fund with a mission to entertain, educate, and inspire audiences through powerful storytelling, uniting diverse movements, cultures, and people, and moving beyond the conventional.